Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist - Portland, United States - Oregon Metro

Description

Salary: $86, $116,417.60 Annually

Location : Portland, OR

Job Type: Full Time

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: WPES-2

Department: Waste Prevention and Environmental Services

Opening Date: 05/30/2024

Closing Date: 6/13/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Summary

Hello, we're Metro Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Metro is seeking a Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist to support environmental compliance activities in the Asset and Environmental Stewardship division, within the Waste Prevention & Environmental Services department.

Metro's Waste Prevention and Environmental Services plans and oversees the region's garbage and recycling system - working with local communities, government and industry partners to protect the environment, conserve resources, and ensure that our garbage and recycling system works for everyone. Metro owns and operates two garbage and recycling transfer stations and hazardous waste facilities and provides waste related community services such as paint recycling and cleaning up dumped garbage. Education and grant programs offer resources and tools for reducing waste and building community capacity for local clean up needs.

WPES is committed to leading with equity in everything we do. We are guided by , which is focused on advancing racial equity, reducing the environmental and health impacts of products, maintaining and improving our garbage and recycling system, and rectifying the historic and ongoing inequities of that system on communities of color and others in our region. We seek leaders who are human-centered, self-aware, transparent, authentic and adaptable, and who inspire, motivate, and empower others to continuously develop, learn, and grow. If you are committed to advancing racial equity and dismantling systems that oppress people of color and other disadvantaged communities, and to fostering increased livability, sustainability and justice throughout the region, we invite you to join us in this critical work.

The Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist position supports operations and the environmental compliance group with various environmental compliance activities at Metro's transfer stations, Metro Paint, and the St. Johns Landfill. The environmental compliance activities include managing various environmental regulatory permits, including solid waste permits, stormwater, wastewater and air permits issued by various agencies, and ensuring the appropriate monitoring, sampling, inspections, maintenance, reporting and training required by the permits are completed.

As the Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist you will:

• Acquire, manage, and maintain all regulatory compliance and operational permits and associated plans for Metro's Waste Prevention and Environmental Services facilities including Metro's transfer stations and hazardous waste operations, Metro Paint, St Johns Landfill, and RID facility.
• Support Metro and contractor operations to ensure compliance with all regulatory permits and plans.
• Schedule, perform and/or coordinate internal and regulatory compliance observations, monitoring, sampling, and reporting.
• Support operations with unusual, problematic, and emerging wastes, disposal of unique wastes, evaluate special waste and other environmental issues.
• Provide pollution prevention plan and other compliance-related training to operations and compliance staff.
• Provide environmental compliance support for construction projects.
• Respond to spills and other incidents requiring environmental oversight and regulatory reporting and notification.
• Work as a leader both within the environmental compliance team and across the Waste Prevention and Environmental Services department to achieve regulatory compliance for all operations.

Attributes for success

• Passionate about the environment and providing superior public service.
• Enjoy problem solving and collaborating with various teams and finding solutions to environmental problems.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Understand general soil and water environmental chemistry, chemical analytical testing methods and proficient at interpreting laboratory chemical analytical reports.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and government agencies and successfully foster open communication and trust.
• Ability to identify, analyze, and document environmental compliance deficiencies through applying knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA); the Clean Water Act (CWA) and other regulatory rules and regulations.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or related field AND
• 3 years of experience in solid waste and/or industrial facility environmental compliance OR
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Working Conditions

• This position requires both in-person office work and work outdoors. Outdoor work may need to be performed during inclement weather and outside normal business hours. Site visits may require work near and around hazardous chemicals. Walking through areas of heavy industrial operations, noise, and standing for prolonged periods may be required.

Schedule

• A majority of this work will be performed onsite with telework options to be driven by the business need and determined by the supervisor.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience with industrial stormwater and wastewater compliance issues.
• Experience with hazardous waste handling and disposal requirements.
• Trained in 24- or 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER) preferred.
• Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) building inspector certification.
• Experience with environmental media sample collection, and chemical analytical data interpretation.
• Experience interpreting engineering design plans and as-builts and marking up plans using Bluebeam Revu software.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed resume that includes the details for each employer
  • Name of employer, working title
  • Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time your title,
  • Summary of your responsibilities

A cover letter detailing the following items:

• How you organize and prioritize your work when providing environmental compliance for facilities that have multiple permits including industrial wastewater and stormwater discharge permits.
• Your experience developing and implementing a spill prevention program at an industrial facility.
• How you communicate effectively with others including those that have different backgrounds and/or lived experiences from your own.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments
• Reference check
• Driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON
The full-salary range for this position is Step 1. $86,860.80 to Step 7. $116, However, unless a candidate's qualifications justify, based on the requirements and Metro's internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1. $86,860.80 to the equity range Step 4. $100,

This position not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as a Senior Solid Waste Planner. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
Essential Job Duties

Questions?
Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann
Email:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Equal employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework
Positions designated as "hybrid telework," meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro
No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro's page.

Government Jobs
For assistance with your account or to reset your password please visit Government Jobs page.

Metro
Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area's garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners, and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs. Benefits vary depending on position and full-time, part-time, and variable hour status.

This is a budgeted, regular status position with a full-time schedule. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision health insurance
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation, holiday, and other leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program
• Training opportunities
• Flexible schedules depending on position and department
• Hybrid/Telework living in Oregon /Washington depending on position and department

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Some positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.